Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order to forcibly remove people experiencing homelessness from state lands. This decision brings with it severe and predictable consequences, reflecting a grave injustice. The National Coalition for the Homeless is taking a stand against this inhumane action. We urge you to read our official statement to understand our position and the critical issues at stake.
NCH is profoundly disappointed and troubled by this decision. Addressing homelessness is a multifaceted challenge that demands both compassion and thoughtful care.
Donald H. Whitehead, Jr., Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, emphasizes:
“The way a society treats its most vulnerable reflects its core values, priorities, and dedication to social justice. Criminalizing homelessness comes with serious repercussions—leading to increased costs, more suffering, and potentially even loss of life. This decision undermines our collective responsibility and commitment to addressing this pressing issue with the compassion it demands.”
Criminalizing homelessness comes with serious repercussions—leading to increased costs, more suffering, and potentially even loss of life. This decision undermines our collective responsibility and commitment to addressing this pressing issue with the compassion it demands.
It is essential to approach the issue of homelessness with boundless empathy, compassion, and commitment to finding sustainable solutions that prioritize the dignity and rights of all individuals, which is crucial for survival.
Encampment raids and forced evictions are not viable solutions; they only exacerbate the dire circumstances of those experiencing homelessness, who have nowhere else to turn.
Resorting to raids is a short-sighted and expensive approach that only exacerbates homelessness and increases the number of individuals forced to live on California’s streets.
Instead, Governor Newsom should focus on long-term solutions that tackle the systemic causes of homelessness, such as the shortage of affordable housing, unemployment, mental health challenges, structural racism, and substance abuse.
Providing adequate shelter, supportive services, and resources will better support people experiencing homelessness in transitioning to stable housing and improving their overall well-being.
NCH and its partners with lived experience are profoundly disheartened by this decision. However, this moment in history will not go unnoticed. While deeply saddened, the advocacy movement views this action as a powerful catalyst for change.
I live in California and as a person with lived experience Newsomes approach is very disappointing and it resembles the teaching of the Cicero Institute.
As a tax payer I am mad at the wasted billions spent on pop up Tiny Homes with worse than incarceration type rules, inexperienced staff and these encampment sweeps. The sweeps puts people in danger of being victims of crime, they lose important documents needed to obtain housing opportunities such as ID’s, Social Security cards, Birth Certificate’s and personal property. It also disconnects them from the outreach teams who have been working with them to get them housed. The bottom line is it doesn’t end their homelessness!!! So stop the encampment sweeps and invest in affordable housing since it is a basic human right. Right? To Governor Newsome a simple rule to live by is If you wouldn’t want it done to you, then don’t do it to them!